Bill Summary for H 391 (2019-2020)

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Summary date: 

Jun 4 2019

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2019-2020 Session
House Bill 391 (Public) Filed Tuesday, March 19, 2019
AN ACT TO AMEND VARIOUS TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY LAWS AND TO CREATE NEW CRIMINAL OFFENSES RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANY DRIVERS.
Intro. by Bell.

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Bill summary

House committee substitute to the 1st edition deletes the previous provisions and now provides the following.

Titles the act as the Passenger Protection Act.

Amends GS 20-280.5, now requiring transportation network companies (TNCs) to specifically include in their records each driver's name and current address of drivers for one year from the date the driver terminated their relationship with the company. Adds a new requirement for TNCs to require drivers to display the license plate number of the vehicle so that it is visible from the front at all times during service, as specified, but does not require the license plate to be permanently mounted. Effective October 1, 2019. Effective July 1, 2020, further requires TNCs to require drivers to display consistent and distinctive signage or emblems on the vehicle at all times when the driver is active on the digital platform or when providing any service. Allows the signage or emblems to be magnetic or removable, subject to DMV approval and specified visibility parameters. 

Amends GS 20-280.6 to raise the minimum age requirement for TNC drivers from 19 to 21 years old.

Enacts GS 14-276.2, making it a Class 2 misdemeanor to impersonate a TNC driver by false statement, false display of distinctive signage or emblems of the TNC, or any other act that falsely represents that the person has a current connection with the TNC or falsely represents that the person is responding to a passenger ride request for a TNC. Increases the offense to a Class H felony if the person impersonates a TNC driver during the commission of a separate felony offense. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2019. 

Establishes an 11-member Commission to Study Transportation Network Company Passenger Safety, charged with studying issues related to TNCs and their operation, including public safety, law enforcement, and reporting requirements. Sets out membership of the Commission, consisting of 10 members appointed by the General Assembly as well as the Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary's designee. Provides for meetings, vacancies, member expenses, and Commission staff. Directs the Commission to make an interim report to the 2020 Session of the 2019 General Assembly and make a final report to the 2021 General Assembly. Terminates the Commission upon filing of its final report. 

Appropriates $100,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for the 2020-21 fiscal year to the UNC Board of Governors to develop and implement an awareness campaign to educate students at constituent institutions on informational requirements of TNC drivers under current state law and those enacted. Effective July 1, 2020.